Melissa Schatzmann is a self-taught pencil realist artist. Her passion for Realistic Pencil Drawing started at a young age with being influenced by Canada’s well-known artist, Robert Bateman and Belgium’s wildlife artist, Carl Brenders. While she mainly uses graphite and coloured pencil as her medium of choice, she also enjoys working with pastel and charcoal pencils. Her subjects range from wildlife, nature, people and pet portaits. She is also an avid photographer who enjoys taking photos of nature and wildlife animals.

Melissa has taught realistic pencil drawing classes through Loyalist Collegein Belleville, Ontario for the past 16 years. In 2003, she designed Canada’s firstonline pencil drawing classesthat were being offered in Community Colleges. These classes are offered through 13 Ontario Community Colleges in 3 semesters in both pencil & colored pencils. Melissa also teaches children’s drawing classes in her home.